Front Illuminated Back Side Contact Thin Wafer Detectors

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed toward a detector structure, detector arrays, a method of detecting incident radiation, and a method of manufacturing the detectors. The present invention comprises several embodiments that provide for reduced radiation damage susceptibility, decreased affects of cross-talk, and increased flexibility in application. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a plurality of front side illuminated photodiodes, optionally organized in the form of an array, with both the anode and cathode contact pads on the back side. The front side illuminated, back side contact photodiodes have superior performance characteristics, including less radiation damage, less crosstalk using a suction diode, and reliance on reasonably thin wafers. Another advantage of the photodiodes of the present invention is that high density with high bandwidth applications can be effectuated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/797,324 filed on Mar. 10, 2004 which relies on, for priority, U.S. Provisional Application 60/468,181, having a priority date of May 5, 2003, entitled “DETECTORS WITH IMPROVED RADIATION DAMAGE AND CROSSTALK CHARACTERISTICS”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains generally to the field of radiation detectors, and in particular, relates to radiation detectors manufactured with thinner wafers, thereby yielding reduced crosstalk between detecting regions and decreased susceptibility to radiation damage, and with contacts extending from a front surface to a back surface, thereby permitting higher photodiode density applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Arrays of photosensitive diodes are used in an assortment of applications including, but not limited to, radiation detection, optical position encoding, and low light-level imaging, such as night photography, nuclear medical imaging, photon medical imaging, multi-slice computer tomography (CT) imaging, and ballistic photon detection etc. Typically, photodiode arrays may be formed as one- or two-dimensional arrays of aligned photodiodes, or, for optical shaft encoders, a circular or semicircular arrangement of diodes.

One problem with detection devices is that they are susceptible to various radiation damage mechanisms, such as displacement damage resulting in total dose effects and ionization damage resulting in bulk effects. Both mechanisms adversely affect the performance of detectors, transistors and integrated circuits.

Certain detector characteristics that are most affected include detector leakage current, doping characteristics, charge collection, and carrier lifetime. Over time, detectors show an increased reverse-bias current and increased forward voltage drop due to radiation damage. Further, a change in doping level, due to radiation damage, adversely affects the width of the depletion region, i.e. the voltage required for full depletion and a decrease in carrier lifetime results in signal loss as carriers recombine while traversing the depletion region.

Another disadvantage with conventional detection devices is the amount and extent of crosstalk that occurs between adjacent detector structures, primarily as a result of minority carrier leakage current between diodes. The problem of crosstalk between diodes becomes even more acute as the size of detector arrays, the size of individual detectors, the spatial resolution, and the spacing of diodes are reduced.

In certain applications, it is desirable to produce optical detectors having small lateral dimensions and spaced closely together. For example in certain medical applications, it would beneficial to increase the optical resolution of a detector array in order to permit for improved image scans, such as computer tomography scans. However, at conventional doping levels utilized for diode arrays of this type, the diffusion length of minority carriers generated by photon interaction in the semiconductor is in the range of at least many tens of microns, and such minority carriers have the potential to affect signals at diodes away from the region at which the minority carriers were generated. Therefore, the spatial resolution obtainable may be limited by diffusion of the carriers within the semiconductor itself, even if other components of the optical system are optimized and scattered light is reduced. Additionally, conventional front surface contact photodiodes require greater space devoted to electrical contacts and, therefore, limit the density of photodiodes in a given application.

Various approaches have been used to minimize such crosstalk including, but not limited to, providing inactive photodiodes to balance the leakage current, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,904,861 and 4,998,013 to Epstein et al., the utilization of suction diodes for the removal of the slow diffusion currents to reduce the settling time of detectors to acceptable levels, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,122, and providing a gradient in doping density in the epitaxial layer, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,321 to Effelsberg.

Additionally, certain applications require the placement of electrical contacts in a manner that does not obstruct an illuminating surface, such as with front illuminated photodiode arrays. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,510,195 and 6,426,991 attempt to disclose a top-surface photodiode array. However, these disclosures fail to provide sufficient teachings to inform one of ordinary skill in the art how to manufacture such modified top-surface photodiode arrays.

Despite attempts to improve the overall performance characteristics of photodiode arrays and their individual diode units, within detection systems, photodiode arrays capable of reducing crosstalk while being less susceptible to radiation damage are still needed. Additionally, there is need for a semiconductor circuit and an economically feasible design and fabrication method so that it is capable of improving the spatial resolution of detectors integrated therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a detector structure, detector arrays, a method of detecting incident radiation, and a method of manufacturing the detectors. The present invention comprises several embodiments that provide for reduced radiation damage susceptibility, decreased affects of cross-talk, and increased flexibility in application. The present invention comprises a plurality of front side illuminated photodiodes, optionally organized in the form of an array, with both the anode and cathode contact pads on the back side. The front side illuminated, back side contact (FSL-BSC) photodiodes have superior performance characteristics, including less radiation damage, less crosstalk using a suction diode, and reliance on reasonably thin wafers. Another advantage of FSL-BSC photodiodes of the present invention is that high density with high bandwidth applications can be effectuated.

In one embodiment, the photodiode array comprises a substrate having at least a front side and a back side, photodiodes integrally formed in the substrate forming the array, a plurality of electrical contacts in electrical communication with the back side, and a plurality of suction diodes positioned at selected locations within the array. The fabrication of the array involves a masking process comprising the steps of applying a first p+ mask on the front side and applying a second p+ mask on the back side.

Preferably, the array substrate is made of n doped silicon. Also preferably, the substrate is encircled by a metallic ring.

In one embodiment, the photodiodes and suction diodes in the array have a front surface, back surface, and side walls where the side walls are covered by a first insulating layer, a first conducting layer, and a second insulating layer. The first insulating layer and/or second insulating layer are an oxide. The conductive layer is doped poly-silicon. The second insulating layer is in physical communication with a filler, such as undoped poly-silicon.

In one embodiment, each photodiodes has a middle layer juxtaposed between a front layer and a back layer. The middle layer comprises a doped material of n conductivity type. The back layer comprises a n+ layer in electrical communication with a metal to form a cathode. The front layer comprises a doped material of p+ conductivity type. The front p+ layer is in electrical communication with a metal to form an anode.

In another embodiment, the present invention covers a photodiode array having a substrate with at least a front side and a back side; a plurality of photodiodes integrally formed in the substrate forming the array wherein each photodiode has a middle layer juxtaposed between a front layer and a back layer; a plurality of electrical contacts in electrical communication with the back side; and suction diodes positioned at selected locations within the array, wherein the fabrication of said array involves a masking process comprising the steps of applying a first p+ mask on said front side and applying a second p+ mask on said back side. In this embodiment, the middle layer comprises a doped material of p conductivity type, the back layer comprises a p+ layer in electrical communication with a metal to form a anode, and the front layer comprises a doped material of n+ conductivity type.

The array is preferably manufactured by using a start material, such as a round sliced wafer, subjected to a standard mask oxidation process that results in layers of SiO₂ on both front and back surfaces of the wafer. A n+ layer is formed through selective diffusion of n+ dopants. Prior to n+ diffusion on the back side of the wafer, the SiO₂ sublayer is selectively etched on the back side to ensure certain regions retain the SiO₂ sublayer.

After the etching has been selectively performed, the regions, which are devoid of the protective the SiO₂ layer, are subjected to a controlled n+ diffusion resulting in the formation of shallow n+ regions on the back side of the wafer. Once the n+ diffusion on the back side of the wafer is complete, a p+ fishbone mask is applied on the front side of the wafer and a p+ mask is applied on the back side. Alternatively, a fishbone mask need not be used and, instead, a full diffusion approach may be applied. The front side of the wafer, coated with the SiO₂ layer is preferably subjected to selective etching, utilizing the p+ fishbone mask to ensure certain regions retain the SiO₂ layer while others remain devoid of it.

Holes are laser cut within the wafer using a hole cutting technique, such as laser cutting. The formation of holes within the wafer substrate is followed by boron diffusion and the concurrent p+ doping of the opening areas and diffusion of boron onto the walls of the holes. Holes are formed by the laser beam emitted from the laser scribing device such that they extend through the wafer, across its thickness in entirety, and to the back side of the wafer. The holes serve as contact holes used for making an electrical connection between a front surface p+ layer and a back surface electrical contact.

Once contact holes have been cut, open areas and sidewalls of the holes are doped with a material of selected conductivity type, such as n-type or p-type. At least a portion of the SiO₂ layer is stripped off and an anti-reflective (AR) coating layer is deposited on the wafer. This is followed by the growth of a layer of SiO₂ via a standard oxidation process.

The front side of the wafer comprises AR coating and the back side comprises a grown oxide SiO₂ layer. A contact window masking, followed by etching of the contact window oxide on the back side of the wafer, is performed. An n+ ring is etched at the periphery of the wafer. The back side of the wafer is metallized using an alloy of aluminum-nickel-gold (Al—Ni—Au), after which metal masking and etching is performed on the back side of the wafer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated, as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 a is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a silicon wafer formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1 b is a side perspective view of cross-sectional detail ‘A’ from FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 a is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a photodiode array formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a side perspective view of cross-sectional detail ‘B’ from FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3 a is a top view of one embodiment of the photodiodes of the present invention;

FIG. 3 b is a top perspective view of area detail ‘B’ from FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4 a is a bottom view of one embodiment of the photodiodes of the present invention;

FIG. 4 b is a perspective view of area detail ‘B’ from FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5 a is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 b is a side perspective view of area detail ‘C’ from FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 6 a depicts a side planar view of a first set of steps in the formation of photodiodes of the present invention;

FIG. 6 b depicts a side planar view of a second set of steps in the formation of photodiodes of the present invention;

FIG. 6 c depicts a side planar view of a third set of steps in the formation of photodiodes of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 d depicts a side planar view of a photodiode of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a detector structure, detector arrays, a method of detecting incident radiation, and a method of manufacturing the detectors. The present invention comprises several embodiments that provide for reduced radiation damage susceptibility, decreased affects of cross-talk, and increased flexibility in application. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the disclosure set forth herein may be applicable to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the claims hereto appended. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described, but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the disclosure set forth herein.

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a plurality of front side illuminated photodiodes, optionally organized in the form of an array, with both the anode and cathode contact pads on the back side. The front side illuminated, back side contact (FSL-BSC) photodiodes have superior performance characteristics, including less radiation damage, less crosstalk using a suction diode, and reliance on reasonably thin wafers.

Referring now to FIG. 1 a, a cross sectional view of a silicon wafer 100 a formed in accordance with the present invention is shown. A plurality of photodiode sections 102 a, 101 a are formed within the silicon wafer 100 a. While it is preferred that the wafer substrate be comprised of silicon, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any suitable semiconductor material, which can be processed in accordance with the processing steps of the present invention, may be used. Although only one complete diode element 102 a is illustrated in FIG. 1 a, it is understood that a typical array or matrix of such diode elements would comprise a plurality of such diode elements. A person of ordinary skill would appreciate that the number of photodiodes incorporated in the semiconductor device is not limited to a specific number and can be adjusted to suit varied operational specifications. The encircled area “A” demarcates a portion of the photodiode array 100 a and, more specifically, photodiode 102 a.

Shown in FIG. 1 b is a detailed side perspective of the cross sectional area circled in FIG. 1 a and labeled as “A”. Within wafer 100 b is a diode 101 b having an active region juxtaposed between a p+ layer 102 b and a n+ layer 103 b. The p+ layer 102 b is positioned proximate to the front facing surface of the diode element whereas the n+ layer 103 b is positioned proximate to the back facing surface. The two layers 102 b, 103 b are spaced apart by a distance almost equal to, and slightly less than, the thickness of the wafer 100 b. Preferably, the silicon wafer 100 b is of a thickness at or about 175 micron. The present invention preferably uses a wafer having thickness in the range of 125 micron to 300 micron where the conventional wafer thickness is generally 400 micron. The n+ layer 103 b is in electrical communication with metallic area, region, or pad to form a back side cathode 104 b. The p+ layer 102 b is in electrical communication, preferably at a plurality of points, with a metallic area, region, or pad to form a front surface anode 105 b. The front surface anode 105 b is in electrical communication with a conductive conduit that leads from the front surface anode 105 b to a back side anode 106 b.

To bring the contacts from the front side to the back side holes are made through the wafer by means of laser cutting technique or silicon dry etching technique. Therefore, the front side and back side of each photodiode 101 b are in electrical communication via a connection region. The connection region is generated by the insertion of holes, voids, or vias between photodiode regions and the use of conductive and insulating material to fill those vias, thereby enabling electrical communication between a front side p+ layer and a backside p+ anode while still maintaining electrical isolation between the photodiode active regions.

A connection region is formed by forming holes between active regions of each photodiode 101 b and within the wafer 100 b. A first oxide insulation layer 107 b is formed on the surface of the sidewalls of the holes, thereby forming a first and innermost insulation layer, relative to the photodiode active regions. A conductive layer 108 b is deposited over the first oxide insulation layer 107 b and serves as the electrical conduit to enable electrical communication between the p+ layer 102 b and back side anode 106 b. For example, and by no way of limitation, it is preferred that the conductive layer 108 b be comprised of doped poly-silicon. Doped poly-silicon can withstand high temperature processing, can be deposited conformally using chemical vapor deposition methods, forms an effective ohmic contact, and resists corrosion.

A second oxide insulation layer 109 b is deposited atop the conductive layer 108 b thereby forming an outermost insulating layer separating the active regions of the adjacent diode elements 101 b. The innermost insulating layer 107 b, conductive layer 108 b, and outermost insulating layer 109 b (collectively referred to herein as a tri-layer) are formed on each side of the sidewalls of the holes separating the photodiode active regions. A void area or region exists between a first tri-layer, formed on the sidewall of a first photodiode region and a second tri-layer, formed on the sidewall of a second photodiode region. The void region is preferably filled with undoped poly-silicon 110 b.

A different schematic view of the FSL-BSC photodiode is shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. Square boxes represent diode elements 201 a within the photodiode array 200 a. The photodiode array 200 a is arranged in the form of a matrix with over 320 diode elements 201 a on the silicon wafer 202 a. Although an array of a limited number of diode elements 201 a is illustrated in FIG. 2 a, it is understood that an array or matrix of diode elements falling within the scope of the present invention may have any number of diode elements. A person of ordinary skill would appreciate that the number of photodiodes incorporated in the silicon wafer is not limited to the aforesaid number and can be adjusted to suit varied operational specifications.

In one embodiment, an exemplary photodiode array 200 a possesses the following characteristics: pitch length between two adjacent diode elements 201 a of 1.4083 mm, a length of the silicon wafer 202 a at approximately 21.8520 mm, and a breadth of the silicon wafer 202 a at approximately 22.4028 mm. The area labeled as “B” demarcates a portion of the silicon wafer 202 a, which is presented in further detail in FIG. 2 b.

The facets marked “A”, “B”, and “C” depict a plurality of cross-sectional views of the diode elements 201 b, when sliced via planes that are normal (i.e. perpendicular) to their top surface. For purposes of describing an exemplary embodiment and not by way of limitation, A1 represents the internal diameter of the void region between the two tri-layers, A2 represents the thickness of the wafer 200 b, A3 represents external diameter of the cap which covers the two front side anode contacts, two tri-layers, and void region between two adjacent diodes, and A4 represents an exposed front surface area of diode element 201 b. In one embodiment, the diode array possesses the following characteristics: A1 is at or about 0.175 mm; A2 is at or about 0.050 mm; A3 is at or about 0.150 mm; and A4 is at or about 1.000 mm. It must be noted here that the above dimensional characteristics can be modified to suit changing requirements.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show top views of photodiodes of the present invention. Within the diode array 300 a, active regions 305 a of the diode elements 303 a serve to provide surfaces onto which light impinges. Interconnections between diode elements 303 a are made through back surface contacts (not shown) located in approximate vertical alignment with central areas 302 a. Wire interconnections 311 a are preferably minimized. Preferably, wire interconnections are made at the back of the diode array 300 a and are made available for creating electrical connections with external circuits, such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) and other devices. The dotted circle, labeled as “A”, demarcates a portion of the photodiode array 300 a, whose magnified view is given in FIG. 3 b. The section view “A-A” is shown in FIG. 3 b.

Referring to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, a bottom view of one embodiment of a photodiode of the present invention is shown. A silicon wafer 400 a is enclosed by a ring 402 a made of suitable metal. The silicon underneath metal ring 402 a is heavily doped with an impurity of selected conductivity type, either n-type or p-type. For example, and by no way of limitation, a n+ metal ring is utilized to surround the silicon wafer 400 a in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

At each of four corners of the silicon wafer 400 a is a set of diode elements 403 a comprised of four diode elements 404 a and a central suction diode 405 a. Although only four suction diodes 405 a and a 16×16 array of diodes 404 a are shown, it is understood that a typical array may have additional diode elements at a plurality of positions in various other arrangements, other than those detailed herein.

Suction diodes 405 a absorb tailing current and thereby assist in reducing cross-talk between individual diodes 404 a. Typically, photodiode arrays may be formed as one- or two-dimensional arrays of aligned photodiodes, or, for optical shaft encoders, a circular or semicircular arrangement of diodes. In similar situations, where possible arrangements of photodiodes include, but are not limited to, one-dimensional, circular, and semicircular types, the total number of suction diodes may vary according to the need. The dotted circle labeled as “B” is further detailed in FIG. 4 b.

Referring to FIG. 4 b, an insulating layer 406 b, such as silicon dioxide, covers the back surface of the silicon wafer 400 b. The metal ring 402 b, entirely surrounding the edge of the silicon wafer 400 a, comprises a lateral extension which is in physical communication with the suction diode 405 b.

Areas C and D, provided in an exploded view form within Figure B, depict detailed views of individual diode element 401 b and suction diode 405 b. Area “C” shows an active photodiode region comprising a metal layer 404 b layered atop a n+ layer 407 b. A p+ layer 408 b is layered atop the metal layer 404 b and forms a p+ pad as an individual pixel electronic contact for diode element 401 b. A contact layer 409 b is formed on the p+ layer 408 b. In one embodiment, the individual diode element 401 b has the following specifications: diameter of the contact hole 0.125 mm, area of the n+ layer 407 b 0.2025 mm², area of the metal layer 404 b 0.09=², and area of the contact layer 409 b 0.0625 mm². The construction of the suction diode, shown in Area “D”, is substantially the same as active photodiode region of Area “C”.

Referring to FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, side perspective views of one embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. In one embodiment, the photodiode array 500 a comprises a wafer 501 a having a length at or about 22.4028 mm and a breadth at or about 21.8520 mm. The substantially square elements represent individual diode elements 502 a, within the array 500 a, and the center circles represent the contact areas. The area labeled as “C” is shown in greater detail in FIG. 5 b.

Referring to FIG. 5 b, facet A is the cross-section of individual diode element 501 b, when sectioned via a plane normal to the top surface of the diode element 501 b and positioned across the diameter of the hole 502 b. Facet B depicts the sidewall of diode element 501 b. A p+ layered doped region 503 b surrounds holes 502 b and certain other portions 506 b extending radially outwards along horizontal x- and vertical y-axes from the holes 502 b on the upper surface of the wafer 500 b. Alternatively, another embodiment of the present invention can have a p+ layered doped region surrounding holes and certain other portions extending along a horizontal x-axes only. it is possible to have Further, a silicon dioxide ring grown on the doped region 503 b forms a cylindrical wall for the holes 502 b. The lower end of the holes 502 b are covered by an oxide layer 505 b formed by the controlled oxidation of the back side of the wafer 500 b. The bottom surface of the diode 501 b is coated with an oxide layer 507 b. Another n+ layer 508 b is diffused into the wafer 500 b. It should be noted that the above description is merely illustrative of the present invention and not a statement about the only applicability of the present invention. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the novel aspects of the present invention can be implemented in other ways as well.

It should be noted that the present invention discloses a preferred approach to manufacturing the diodes disclosed herein. The conductive layer, situated between the two insulating layers, cannot be deposited using any process known in the art. Specifically, ion implantation or impurity diffusion is not an effective approach to creating a conductive layer atop an insulating layer. Forming a conductive layer using metals, as some prior art references may have suggested, is also not an effective approach because it is difficult to create a continuous metal layer from the front side, through the hole, and to the backside without creating voids or discontinuities. Furthermore, using metals can result in the creation of non-planar device surfaces. Maintaining wafer planarity is critical in device processing and assembly. Additionally, in certain devices, the holes are filled by a single insulating layer between which a conductive material is placed. While possible to fill the entire hole with molten conductive material, such devices are often subjected to high dark leakage current.

In light of the above described challenges in producing photodiodes, provided below are details of how photodiodes of the present invention are preferably manufactured. The manufacturing process will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 6 a through 6 c.

Referring to FIG. 6 a, section view A-A (1) depicts a cross-section of the start material. In one embodiment, the start material is a round sliced wafer 600 a made of a suitable semiconductor material. For example, and by no way of limitation, silicon may be utilized in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In one embodiment, the wafer or semiconductor device 600 a possesses the following specifications: round slice wafer diameter 100 mm, resistivity 800-1200 Ωcm, thickness 275 μm, and double side polish. The above specifications are not limiting and may be modified to suit the design, fabrication and functional requirements suggested herein.

Typically, a wafer, if unpolished, can have a rough texture and may not exactly conform to parameters, such as surface flatness, thickness specifications etc. Therefore, it is preferred that the wafer 600 a has a double-side polish. Additionally, before further fabrication steps are taken, the polished wafer 600 a is subjected to a standard mask oxidation process that results in layers 601 a of SiO₂ on both front and back surfaces of the wafer 600 a. The tasks of polishing and standard mask oxidation are known to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure and, consequently, will not be further detailed herein.

As shown in section view A-A (2) of FIG. 6 a, a n+ layer is formed through selective diffusion of n+ dopants. Prior to n+ diffusion on the back side of the wafer 600 a, the SiO₂ sublayer 601 a is selectively etched on the back side to ensure certain regions, such as area 612 a, retain the SiO₂ sublayer. The process of selective etching and diffusion is well known in the prior art.

After the etching has been selectively performed, the regions, which are devoid of the protective the SiO₂ layer, are subjected to a controlled n+ diffusion resulting in the formation of shallow n+ regions 615 a on the back side of the wafer 600 a. There are many different approaches available in the prior art to carry out this diffusion process and the choice of the diffusion method is dependent on various factors, such as the diffusion coefficient of the dopant, permissible error in diffusion depth, and diffusion source.

Referring to section view A-A(3) of FIG. 6 a, once the n+ diffusion on the back side of the wafer 600 a is complete, a p+ fishbone (or non-fishbone) mask is applied on the front side of the wafer 600 a and a p+ mask is applied on the back side. Alternatively, a full diffusion approach may be applied, instead of a fishbone mask. The front side of the wafer 600 a, coated with the SiO₂ layer 601 a is preferably subjected to selective etching, utilizing the p+ fishbone mask to ensure certain regions, such as 616 a, retain the SiO₂ layer while others remain devoid of it. This is achieved via any suitable masking technique including, but not limited to, p+ fishbone, followed by selective etching.

In a preferred embodiment, p+ fishbone masking is used and preferably involves the following steps. First, a photographic mask, possessing the desired fishbone pattern or grid, is produced. In general, photomasks are high precision plates containing microscopic images of electronic circuits. They are made from flat pieces of quartz or glass with a layer of chrome on one side. Etched in the chrome is a portion of an electronic circuit design. The circuit design on the mask is also referred to as the geometry of the mask.

More specifically, fishbone patterns or grids possess a tightly coupled architecture, thereby facilitating better geometry for a sensor array. The dies are arranged in rows and columns on the mask. For example, this may typically be a chromium pattern produced on a glass plate in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Other practically appropriate patterns and masking techniques could be used in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,426,991 and 3,760,385 are hereby incorporated by reference.

Referring to FIG. 6 b, holes are laser cut within the wafer. The formation of holes within the wafer substrate is followed by boron diffusion and the concurrent p+ doping of the opening areas and diffusion of boron onto the walls of the holes. Methods used to form holes in substrates comprise, but are not limited to, reactive ion etching, photo patterning, and laser-based techniques, such as laser ablation, laser micromachining, and laser scribing. Lasers offer considerable flexibility and precision focus, thereby making it an effective means for forming small diameter holes, such as micro-holes having diameter of the order of approximately 125 μm or less. Preferred apparatuses, methods or systems perform laser-scribing via a Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (YAG) solid state laser (Q switched or pulsed), for example Neodymium (Nd:YAG) laser, Erbium (Er:YAG) laser or Holmium (Ho:YAG) laser, operating at a suitable wavelength to form micro-structures, such as trenches, kerfs, or holes. In one preferred embodiment, to form the holes, a Nd:YAG laser having a 1.06 μm emitted beam wavelength and an electrical efficiency of 2%-4% is used in conjunction with a mechanism for adjusting the position of a wafer-holding chuck.

Referring to section view A-A (3) of FIG. 6 a, prior to undergoing laser scribing, wafer 600 a is preferably held in position for scribing by a vacuum chuck (not shown). It will be appreciated, however, that other types of article-holding devices may be used within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The wafer 600 a has a plurality of SiO₂ formations 616 a and discontinuous n+ layers 615 a.

Referring now to FIG. 6 b, regions 601 b enclosed within pairs of dotted lines, as illustrated in section view A-A (4), represent the portion of the wafer 600 b where cutting, via the preferred laser scribing apparatus, is conducted to form the contact holes. The aperture of the laser device used and the focal distance of the cutting beam determine the diameter of hole. Preferably, the diameter of holes 601 b is at or about 125 μm. A person of ordinary skill would appreciate that the specifications of the holes, in terms of diameter and depth, are not restricted to the aforesaid specifications and can be adjusted to suit varied economical, technical or operational specifications.

Holes 601 b are formed by the laser beam emitted from the laser scribing device such that they extend through the wafer 600 b, across its thickness in entirety, and to the back side of the wafer 600 b. The holes 601 b serve as contact holes used for making an electrical connection between a front surface p+ layer and a back surface electrical contact.

Referring to section view A-A (5) of FIG. 6 b, once contact holes 601 b have been cut, open areas and sidewalls of the holes 601 b are doped with a material of selected conductivity type, such as n-type or p-type. In one embodiment, the p+ doping layers are formed at various regions indicated therein, as p+ suction diode (p+ S.D.) 602 b, p+ back side (p+ B.S.) 603 b, and p+ active pixel (p+ A.P.) 604 b, respectively. In one embodiment, the doping process possesses the following specifications: a dopant Boron (B), a dopant conductivity type p+, a sidewall target junction depth of approximately 1 to 2 micron, and a dopant source BBr₃. Target junction depths, as specified in the specifications, can be achieved by the use of boron diffusion techniques though there are other approaches available in the prior art.

As shown in section view A-A (6) of FIG. 6 c, at least a portion of the SiO₂ layer is stripped off and an anti-reflective (AR) coating layer 602 c is deposited on the wafer 600 c. This is followed by the growth of a layer of SiO₂ via a standard oxidation process. Preferably, the process-related specifications are as follows: a layer thickness of 2900 angstroms at a rate of 3λ/4@540 nm if a fishbone structure is used. If a non-fishbone structure is used, a layer thickness of at or about 950 to 1000 angstroms is the preferred specification.

Referring to section view A-A (7) of FIG. 6 c, the front side of the wafer 600 c comprises AR coating 602 c and the back side comprises a grown oxide SiO₂ layer. A contact window masking, followed by etching of the contact window oxide on the back side of the wafer 600 c, is performed. An n+ ring is etched at the periphery of the wafer. The back side of the wafer 600 c is metallized using an alloy of aluminum-nickel-gold (Al—Ni—Au), after which metal masking and etching is performed on the back side of the wafer 600 c.

The above discussion is aimed towards providing a preferred embodiment incorporating the novel aspects of the present invention and it should be understood that the foregoing illustration is not the only application where the present invention can be reduced down to practice. The present invention can be suitably modified to incorporate other possible embodiments as well. The scope of the invention is defined solely by the accompanying claims and within the scope of the claims; the present invention can be employed in various other situations. For example, other device-to-device isolation, active are patterning, active area reduction, reduction of crosstalk, formation of electrical contacts via through holes, and reduction of radiation damage techniques could be employed while still staying within the scope of the present invention. 

1-37. (canceled)
 38. A photodiode comprising: a. a silicon wafer having a front side and a back side, wherein said wafer has a thickness of 300 microns or less and wherein each of said front side and back side has a surface; b. a n+ layer formed within said wafer and located proximate to said back side; c. a p+ layer formed with said wafer and located proximate to said front side, wherein said p+ layer and said n+ layer are separated by an area and wherein said area comprises an active region; d. a first metallic area formed on the front side surface, said first metallic area in electrical communication with the p+ layer and forming an anode; e. a second metallic area formed on the back side surface, said second metallic area in electrical communication with the n+ layer and forming a cathode; f. a connection region extending between said first metallic area and said second metallic area, and placing said first metallic area and said second metallic area in electrical communication, wherein said connection region is formed by generating a hole in said wafer and filling said hole with conductive and insulating material.
 39. The photodiode of claim 38 wherein said connection region comprises side walls and wherein said side walls are covered by a first insulating layer, a first conducting layer, and a second insulating layer.
 40. The photodiode of claim 39 wherein the first insulating layer is an oxide.
 41. The photodiode of claim 39 wherein the second insulating layer is an oxide.
 42. The photodiode of claim 39 wherein the first conducting layer is doped poly-silicon.
 43. The photodiode of claim 39 wherein the second insulating layer is in physical communication with a filler.
 44. The photodiode of claim 43 wherein the filler is undoped poly-silicon.
 45. The photodiode of claim 38 wherein said active region comprises a doped material of a n conductivity type.
 46. The photodiode of claim 38 wherein said active region comprises a doped material of a p conductivity type.
 47. The photodiode of claim 38 wherein said wafer is encircled by a metallic ring.
 48. The photodiode of claim 47 wherein silicon underneath the metal ring is doped with an impurity of a selected conductivity type.
 49. A photodiode comprising: a. a silicon wafer having a front side and a back side, wherein said wafer has a thickness of 300 microns or less and wherein each of said front side and back side has a surface; b. a p+ layer formed within said wafer and located proximate to said back side; c. a n+ layer formed with said wafer and located proximate to said front side, wherein said p+ layer and said n+ layer are separated by an area and wherein said area comprises an active region; d. a first metallic area formed on the front side surface, said first metallic area in electrical communication with the n+ layer and forming an cathode; e. a second metallic area formed on the back side surface, said second metallic area in electrical communication with the p+ layer and forming an anode; f. a connection region extending between said first metallic area and said second metallic area, and placing said first metallic area and said second metallic area in electrical communication, wherein said connection region is formed by generating a hole in said wafer and filling said hole with conductive and insulating material.
 50. The photodiode of claim 49 wherein said connection region comprises side walls and wherein said side walls are covered by a first insulating layer, a first conducting layer, and a second insulating layer.
 51. The photodiode of claim 50 wherein the first insulating layer is an oxide.
 52. The photodiode of claim 50 wherein the second insulating layer is an oxide.
 53. The photodiode of claim 50 wherein the first conducting layer is doped poly-silicon.
 54. The photodiode of claim 50 wherein the second insulating layer is in physical communication with a filler.
 55. The photodiode of claim 43 wherein the filler is undoped poly-silicon.
 56. The photodiode of claim 49 wherein said active region comprises a doped material of a n conductivity type.
 57. The photodiode of claim 49 wherein said active region comprises a doped material of a p conductivity type.
 58. The photodiode of claim 49 wherein said wafer is encircled by a metallic ring. 